Spencer Burford was one of the more promising players for the 49ers in 2022.
Now, it was bizarre considering he was being rotated in and out of every game with Daniel Brunskill. He would get the start, but depending on matchups or poor performances, the 49ers would pull him from the game temporarily or indefinitely. That is rarely, if ever, done on the offensive line.
"I would've hoped during the year he would've taken over the position, but he never really did," said offensive line coach Chris Foerster. "It was always kind of a nip and tuck between the two of them. And Dan (Brunskill) had to fill in some games at other positions, so Spence ended up playing more plays.
With Brunskill gone, the shadow that looms next to Burford is gone, which clears open the way for him to be the unquestioned starter. He is in the same boat as right tackle Colton McKivitz. It is "his job to lose" according to Foerster. Given how Foerster spoke so highly of Burford with great emphasis, I'd say there is a good chance that Burford is primed to ascend and take a leap in 2023.
"This year, boy, he has come back, looks like a different guy, carrying himself differently. The confidence level, the jump between years one and two for a player if they play is the biggest jump they ever make because you just can't stop what goes on during a season. It's just one game after another game after another game.
"And about October, your season is usually over in college and now we're playing to February almost, last week of January, so it was so long, it's so much and it doesn't let up. This year I think he's more prepared for the whole process. He knows what it is. I think he's ready to make that step and I say everything to this point as much as you can tell from this, he looks prepared and ready to go.”
No longer will Burford have to be burdened with being rotated in and out. Being a fulltime starter is expected of him, so he is already taking a leap in that aspect. But I think he has the makings of being an adequate starter. One that the 49ers will not have to worry about and feel confident in.
Burford still has a way to go and can continue to improve on his physique and technique over the next couple of months. The 49ers badly need him to be an afterthought as they will likely spend their time worrying about right tackle with McKivitz or another.
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